Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) a developer of small cameras, has announced that a 2 by 2 3D imaging system is ready for mass production and use in smartphones, phablet and tablet computers.

The TrueD H2 array camera is said to be the first in a series of 3D imaging and depth-sensing cameras that Heptagon is introducing to the market. Heptagon did not provide details of the image resolution, data output formats of physical dimensions of the camera.

The TrueD H2 has been reported to measure 5.9mm by 5.8mm by 2.25mm.

As well as capturing the image the array camera captures short-range depth information that can be used for gesture and user recognition, background removal and image enhancement. The feature set is typical used for the front-facing camera on a smart device, but can also be used to complement the smart devices primary high resolution image sensor, Heptagon said.

This is really something new, I was expecting the back camera will be first replaced by this kind of high resolution 3D cameras, but to my surprise this sensor will be very much useful as front camera as depicted in the article.

Google just 5days back announced a Project Named "Tango", with an Android-based prototype 5″ phone and developer kit with advanced 3D sensors out of its Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) hardware skunkworks group.

Using its sensors, the phone doesn't just track motion, but it can actually build a visual map of rooms using 3D scanning. This will be promoted for indoor navigation and immersive gaming, among many other things.